Pubdate: Fri, 07 Feb 2014
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Copyright: 2014 The Washington Times, LLC.
Contact:  http://www.washingtontimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492
Author: Valerie Richardson

ALASKA POISED TO VOTE ON LEGALIZING RETAIL MARIJUANA

Initiative Likely on August Ballot

Alaska is poised to become the third state to legalize retail 
marijuana after pro-pot advocates this week cleared the signature 
hurdle to place an initiative on the August ballot.

The Committee to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska hit 31,593 
valid signatures Tuesday, well above the 30,169 signatures required 
to place the measure before voters. The initiative is expected to 
appear on the Aug. 19 primary ballot once a final count is certified 
by the state.

Alaska follows in the footsteps of Colorado and Washington, where 
voters approved measures to regulate the sale of recreational 
marijuana for adults in November 2012. Colorado unveiled the nation's 
first retail pot shops in Jan. 1, and Washington is expected to begin 
marijuana sales in June.

Dependably Republican Alaska would become the reddest state to 
approve retail marijuana, but Committee spokesman Taylor Bickford 
predicted the legalization effort would appeal to the electorate's 
libertarian streak.

"Alaska voters have a large degree of respect for personal liberty 
and freedom, and that's reflected in the poll numbers we've been 
seeing," said Mr. Bickford.

A newly released survey shows the idea already has significant public 
support. A Public Policy Polling survey posted Wednesday found 55 
percent of registered voters polled agree with legalizing pot for 
recreational purposes, with 39 percent opposed.

Opposing the measure is Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a year-old 
group founded by former Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, Rhode Island 
Democrat, that favors decriminalization for pot smokers but not legalization.

"We've been approached by Alaskan treatment and prevention providers 
to offer advice," said SAM co-founder Kevin Sabet.

So far Alaska's leading elected officials haven't said much about the 
issue, although the Marijuana Policy Project is lobbying for the 
support for Rep. Don Young, Alaska Republican, who backed a House 
bill last year to protect marijuana businesses from federal 
prosecution as long as they comply with state law.

"It's a states' rights issue, period," Mr. Young told the Alaska Dispatch.

The marijuana measure would appear on the primary ballot alongside a 
number of other high profile contests. Republicans are waging a 
contested Senate primary to decide who will face vulnerable 
Democratic Sen. Mark Begich in November.

The ballot is also expected to include initiatives on repealing a tax 
cut for oil companies and boosting the minimum wage, which could 
increase voter turnout.

The Alaska initiative hews closely to the language in the Colorado 
and Washington measures, which legalize small amounts of marijuana 
for adults 21 and over. The sale and cultivation would be regulated 
by the state in a manner similar to that of liquor.

The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board would have regulatory 
oversight over recreational marijuana, but the state legislature 
would have the option of establishing and shifting authority to a 
Marijuana Control Board.

The measure also calls for a $50 per ounce excise tax for sales or 
transfers of marijuana from a cultivation facility or a store. Local 
governments could opt out by banning retail sales in their 
jurisdictions, although marijuana use and possession would still be legal.

The campaign doesn't have an estimate yet on how much revenue would 
be generated under the initiative, but "what we do know is that a lot 
of jobs are going to be created, there will be a significant economic 
boost, and the state will have a new source of tax revenue," said Mr. Bickford.

The biggest losers would be those now profiting from marijuana sales, 
he said, namely dope dealers and criminal syndicates.

"We expect to put a lot of drug dealers out of business by selling 
marijuana over the counter in a regulated market instead of on the 
black market," said Mr. Bickford.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom